Friday, May 5, 2023

Dear friend,

It was a busy Saturday in the Franconia District! Our second STEM Fest in partnership with George Mason University and the Workforce Innovation Skills Hub took place and it was a great success. Families were able to participate in a day full of hands-on activities focusing on science, technology, engineering, and Math. County resources were also available for families to enjoy.

I also stopped by at the Emmanual Baptist Church for the Mount Vernon Police Station's Public Safety Day with our amazing public safety personnel. This was another opportunity for families to enjoy fun activities, resources, and snacks. It was great to see so many community members come together and meet their local police officers.

Lastly, a couple of weeks ago, I was honored to receive the Community Builder Award from the Andrew Jackson Masonic Lodge 120 in Alexandria. This award is presented to individuals who provide outstanding service to the community. I was given this award for the all the hard work the WISH is doing to uplift residents in our district. I am so proud of the accomplishments at the WISH and the help we have been able to provide to ensure that our community has access to good jobs with good pay. Thank you again to the Andrew Jackson Masonic Lodge 120 for this recognition.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office.

Email: Franconia@fairfaxcounty.gov

Phone 703-971-6262

-Rodney

Table of Contents

Fare Free Fairfax Connector Routes
Choose Native Plants
Opening of Kingstowne Farmer's Market
Aging Unbound
FRCHA Scholarship Program
PTSA Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week
COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic
Teen Summer Programs
COVID-19 Resources

Fare Free Connector Routes

Starting May 1st, all Fairfax Connector routes will be fare free for children 12 and under when accompanied by a paying adult.

In addition there will be:

· A half-fare discount for seniors and passengers with disabilities

· A free Student Bus Pass for Fairfax County middle and high school students, for all connector and City of Fairfax CUE routes

· Free transfers to and from the WMATA bus rail service

· And the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) half-fare discount for economically disadvantaged residents

Choose Native Plants

Warm weather has many of us headed to the garden center, where lovely blooms await. The key is to pick native plants, the ones that evolved here and provide them the food they need to survive. A simple way to guarantee that a plant is native is to buy it from someone who exclusively sells native plants.

There are four garden centers in Northern Virginia that do just that. In addition, periodic native plant sale events are held around the region in the spring and the fall.

More info: Shopping for the birds (plantnovanatives.o rg).

Opening of Kingstowne Farmer's Market

I am happy to share that the Kingstowne Farmer's Market is back! Shop fresh and local produce at the market. The first market of the 2023 season will open on Friday, May 5, 2023, at 3 p.m.

The complete schedule is now available online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets.

Aging Unbound

As family members, friends, mentors, volunteers, civic leaders, workers, and others, older adults play an important role in our communities.

Join the Aging Unbound event on May 31 from 10am-2pm as they explore the upsides of growing older. There will be various activities and resources for families to participate in.

Everyone has a role to play in combating ageism, and it is advantageous when older adults remain involved and included in their communities.

FRCHA Scholarship Program

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) is excited to announce that a new scholarship opportunity for Fairfax County residents, who live in housing supported by the FCRHA, is open for all to apply!

The link to access the on-line application is located at: Scholarship Program | fcrha.

The deadline for submission of applications is Friday, May 19, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. Upon completion of the selection process, ten recipients will each be awarded a scholarship in the amount of $5,000.

Learn more at: www.fcrha.org/.

Send questions to: fcrhascholarship@fairfaxcounty.gov .

PTSA Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week

Hayfield Secondary PTSA is making plans to celebrate the amazing teachers & staff during Teacher Appreciation Week May 8-12, 2023. Here is how you can help show your support and gratitude!

Wednesday, May 10th--the PTSA is hosting a luncheon for all staff--they are in need of food donations and volunteers...please sign up here, or if you prefer, send a cash donation here.

For more info contact: Julie Do 703-798-4214 or Marlow Townes 571-598-0940

COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic

On Saturday, May 6th from 11AM - 1PM, Bethlehem Baptist Church is offering Covid-19 booster shots for those 65 years and older and immunocompromised persons. Please bring your Vaccination Card. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.